The vast majority of battles fought during the American Revolution were based on tactics developed in Europe for open, level terrain such as the Seven Years War (1756-1763). A logical evolution of the era before muskets when soldiers were armed with pikes, European soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder, three ranks deep, and fired volleys by command only. At 3-5 rounds a minute, it was a contest of which side could fire the most bullets in the shortest amount of time and maintain ranks while being fired upon. Once several volleys had been exchanged and there were signs that the enemy's lines were wavering, a bayonet charge would be ordered which nearly always decided the victor.
Soldiers were only trained to point their muskets in the general direction of the enemy and were never taught how to compensate when firing either uphill or downhill. Accuracy was not important. But why?
The answer lies in the weaponry. The British infantryman was armed with the Brown Bess, and was typical of muskets of the day. At 10 lbs., 4 1/2 feet long, .75 caliber, it used an undersized 3/4 oz. lead ball and was equipped with a 14" socket bayonet. The smooth bore meant fast, easy loading to compensate for powder fouling, and had no sights. Like the French Charleville musket (.69 - .75 caliber, which Americans received over 100,000 of from France), it had an accuracy of 5-feet at 100 yards.
For this reason, battles were fought at between 50 and 75 yards. Though Americans had shown their resolve at the early stages of the war, their undisciplined ranks were consistently beaten by the well-trained British and German troops in open, level terrain such as Long Island, Brandywine, Camden, etc. Only after the winter of 1777-1778 did they learn these lessons (with the help of advisors such as von Steuben).
But what about the long rifle?
The long rifle (or "Kentucky Rifle") was the creation of German gunsmiths immigrating to Pennsylvania and Virginia from the 1740s. Responding to frontiersmen seeking valuable skins for shipment back to England, these American gunsmiths produced small caliber, small ball rifles often costing a typical annual income. In 1776, they were unheard of in New England.
Though a good rifleman could hit a man-sized target out to three hundred yards or more, the rate of fire was considerably less and they could not be equipped with a bayonet. By 1778, less than 3% of the Continental Army's total strength was composed of rifle companies... approximately 960 men. Valuable only in skirmishes, the war would be won by tactics and the fire discipline of close combat volleys with muskets.
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"Kentucky Rifle " |
Special thanks to "Battles of the Revolutionary War 1775-1778" by W.J. Wood
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